Friday, January 14, 2011

Random Friday Fun: Book Blogger Hop & Friday Fill-Ins

Book Blogger Hop

Hosted by Jennifer of Crazy for Books
Weekly meme where book bloggers and readers connect
and share in our love for the written word.

This week's question comes from Barb who blogs at Sugarbeat's Books: Why do you read the genre that you do? What draws you to it?

I was chatting with a coworker yesterday afternoon and the topics of books came up. She asked me what it was about reading I liked so much. She always sees me reading and has never been much of a reader herself. I gave her my usual answer about how I read for entertainment, escapism, to learn, to feel and to be inspired among other things.

Thinking about it now, it's easy to see how that comes out in my choices of reading material. I enjoy reading a wide variety of books on varying topics. I get something different out of each book I read, whether I am cozying up with a light-hearted or hard boiled mystery, sitting on the edge of my seat and holding my breath as I finish a thriller, visiting imaginative and entirely new worlds in fantasy and science fiction, diving into the past in a historical novel, sharing in the hardships and struggles found in fiction of all kinds, or digging up facts I had not given much thought to before in nonfiction.

Reading allows me to step into someone else's shoes for awhile and experience the world, whether real or make believe, in a way only a book can offer. I believe I am a better observer, more patient, more compassionate and better at solving problems than I might have been had I not been a reader.

I find pleasure and satisfaction in many different types of books, regardless of genre and category. The draw is what lays inside the cover, the stories and characters that I bring into my life, if even for a short while.

Graphic courtesy of Tonya!

1. Right now I need a book to go with my peace and quiet.

2. The last drop of milk is what's in my glass.

3. A copy of this letter will be sent to the crime reporter at the local newspaper with a request to publish should I meet a foul or suspicious death.

4. When I want to take my enemies by complete and total surprise, I find my attack is best done with a spoon.

5. The best television show I've seen lately is BBC's Sherlock Holmes, in which I've totally fallen in love.

6. Slippers: like; Fuzzy giant socks: love.

7. I am feeling ambitious this morning. I want to spend some time cleaning out draws that haven't been opened in a while and do the laundry. It may not sound like a lot, but you haven't seen what's in those drawers! I have a doctor's appointment as well. I'm now officially in my 8th month of pregnancy. The not so pleasant moments are becoming more frequent, but I can't complain. I still have more good days than bad ones. Nothing a foot massage can't cure! And a good nap when I can fit one in.

What are you up to today? I hope you all have a great weekend and may you find yourself lost in a good book.



  1. Good luck and all the best of your pregnancy!

    Happy Friday Fill-Ins! Here's my FFI for this week

    See yah? ;-)

  2. Wow we are the same i am also 8 months preggy...Nice answers. Happy FFI!

  3. I like a variety of genres too - life would be dull if we read the same thing over and over.

  4. LOL, #4 cracked me right up :D I loved your response to the genre question. Isn't the art of reading amazing? Old follower hopping by :) Here's my post.

  5. lol - I like #3 and #4.

    Wow - 8th month already? It seems like only yesterday that you mentioned something on your blog for the first time.

  6. Oh yeah, #4 was EXCELLENT! Come read my answers over at The Philosophy of Chairs.

  7. Here I am hopping on by...



    Howard A. Sherman


  9. Not much longer. Make sure your hospital bag is packed. Mine was not ready!

  10. I've never really wondered at why people like to read as much as I wonder why people don't like to read. It's something I can't understand but certainly there are many people out there who just don't enjoy reading.

    8th month! Almost there, Wendy! I'm almost to my 6th and am not looking forward to the discomfort ahead. My biggest complaint to date is the heartburn--going to sleep I have to prop myself up in an almost sitting position.

    Will have to check out Sherlock Holmes! Havne't heard about that one.

  11. You are getting so close!! How exciting for you and the hubby!!!

    I loved how you wrote about your love of reading..truly encapsulates how I feel about reading also!

  12. I'm totally with you on reading. :)

    8th month! You're almost there, Wendy!!

  13. I'm with you in that I read a wide variety too. I can't imagine my life without books!

  14. Cacai - Thank you!

    Gengen - How cool is that?! Congratulations on your pregnancy.

    Kathy - I agree completely. Variety keeps things interesting.

    Teacher/Learner - I can't imagine not reading. I had fun with this week's fill-ins. :-)

    Kris - I couldn't help myself. :-)

    Time does seem to be flying by! We put together the bassinet the night before last and it suddenly makes things all the more real.

    Billy Rhythm - A spoon is such an inconspicuous weapon, don't you think?

    Howard - I agree, it's impossible to pick just one genre. So many great books and such a wide range of wonderful categories to choose from!

  15. Pussreboots - There are genres I don't read much of--although I hesitate to say I won't ever read them. I've found treasures in unexpected places.

    Caspette - I do need to do that, don't I? Ugh.

    Trish - It is a question that's crossed my mind too--why people don't like to read.

    I'm sorry about your heartburn. :-( That hasn't been a big problem for me fortunately. Sleep is getting harder to get--I just can't seem to get comfortable anymore.

    Definitely do check out Sherlock Holmes. The first season is out on DVD now. It's only three episodes but it's so good! The writing is wonderful.

    Staci - We are definitely excited. Hubby keeps talking about how much he's looking forward to meeting her. :-)

    Melody - Almost! Where did the time go?

    We are true book lovers aren't we, Melody. :-)

    Kathleen - I can't imagine my life without books either. It'd be sad and dull, that's for sure.

